THANKFULLY our society has a long way to descend before we see the levels of violence experienced in some countries.

The easy availability of guns is a major factor in the United States where, for example, it is estimated that street gangs have about 1.3million members who kill and maim as they roam their self-appointed ‘territories.’ But although things are nothing like as bad in England, there is no room for complacency. Several incidents in the past few years have highlighted a worrying habit of teenagers carrying knifes and other weapons.

Turning the tide on this trend is not easy because many youngsters are unwilling to accept advice from adults.

But Blackburn woman Melissa MacFarlan’s school visits are very different.

The mother-of-five tells how her brother was stabbed to death in Todmorden as a teenager and the terrible affect this had on all who knew him.

Another brother was also stabbed in Blackburn three years ago while carrying a knife himself.

The stark details of her personal experience will hopefully get through to pupils in a way that no amount of ‘lectures’ ever could.